ArcadiaValleyCareerTech-MissouriCenterforCareer.doc

Arcadia Valley Career Technology Center Embedded Mathematics and Communication Arts Credit Version: January 31, 2005 Overview: The Arcadia Valley Career Technology Center has developed the following proposal to offer “embedded” academic credit for those students who complete a six-hour vocational program and specific, additional academic criteria. It should be kept in mind that this is a working document and will be continually updated and revised. Students who complete a six-hour vocational program will receive the following: One hour of elective mathematics credit, Technical Mathematics, if they pass a competency test sometime within their two years in the vocational program. The mathematics credit could be used to meet the math credit requirements of the sending school if the student has failed a previous mathematics class. All awarding of credit is based on the sending school’s policies and preferences. One hour of elective communication arts credit, Technical Writing, if they meet the minimum requirements for all established components of a portfolio. Each required element will be assessed by a scoring guide with minimum levels established. Rationale: The concept of “embedded” credit may seem revolutionary, however, other schools in other states are offering some form of additional credit. In Missouri there have been local schools that have offered math and/or science credit through vocational agriculture programs. What we have developed is an entirely unique integration of mathematics and communication arts into all vocational programs. We feel that the concept of earning academic credit for completion of a vocational program is a perfect fit for Arcadia Valley R-II and its sending schools. The key to the program is that students will not be “given credit,” they will earn it by passing a test (math) or by demonstration of their work through a portfolio for communication arts. It is also important to realize that there will be additional work required